Consumers To Benefit From Land Registration Changes

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Consumers To Benefit From Land Registration Changes

Major changes in property registration procedures in Annapolis, Digby, Hants and Kings counties should make future land sales faster and easier for consumers.

In the new system, which becomes effective this month, property records are indexed to the land parcel rather than the owner's name, and records are filed and stored electronically instead of through paper-based registries.

The biggest benefit is that ownership of a property is guaranteed by the province once it is in the new system. Most properties will be converted during a sale, mortgage or property subdivision but a land owner can make the move voluntarily at any time.

Property information will be available online as properties are converted, making it easier for lawyers, surveyors and financial institutions to serve their clients faster. Land title information, which up until now could only be researched by visiting the Registry of Deeds in the county where the property is located, will be filed, stored and accessed over the Internet.

The conversion process is built on the current steps that are needed to sell, mortgage or subdivide a property. One last historic title search must be conducted by a lawyer to ensure that there are no outstanding claims on the property being sold and that the person selling the property is the rightful owner.

Some additional one-time work must also be completed during the conversion. Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations estimates that these one-time steps will take an additional two hours of time to complete and file electronically.

"As with anything new, there is a learning curve for people using the system," said Gretchen Pohlkamp, Land Registration project director for Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "A comprehensive training program for lawyers and surveyors is available through their respective professional associations, and they have been quick learners."

Lawyers and surveyors must complete the training and be certified by their professional association before they are authorized to use the new land registration system.

Consumers can ensure that the lawyer and surveyor they hire is authorized to work in the new land registration system by calling the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society or the Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors. The same information is also available from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations' toll-free information line at 1-866-518-4640.

Fees for these services are set by individual lawyers and surveyors, not by the government, so the price can vary greatly from firm to firm.

"Hiring a lawyer or surveyor is like hiring any other professional; consumers should shop around to ensure that they are getting good value for their money," said Ms. Pohlkamp.

The new land registration system removes many of the constraints that delayed property transactions. As red tape, travel and title searching time is reduced, consumers should see faster closings with lower legal bills for transactions involving converted properties.

Antigonish, Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties adopted the new land registration system in 2003. The system should be available provincewide by March 1, 2005.

For more information about land registration, call toll-free 1- 866-518-4640 or see the website at www.servicens.ca/property/landreg/ .